Although its a very basic question but i think it must be discussed in forum like this (ResearchGate) that before we start studying any property like electrical, optical, thermo-mechanical etc. of any sample, what must be kept in mind regarding material characterization e.g.
Electrical and Magnetic Techniques
Mechanical Testing
Thermal Techniques
Microscopy
Macroscopic Observation
Microscopic Observation
Diffraction Techniques
Spectroscopic Techniques etc.
Like If one is studying electrical properties than what characterization techniques like Scanning Electron Spectroscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), FTIR, XRD, EDS, EDXA, EDXMA, XPS, etc. one must have to go through ?
and similarly for other properties..?